Eversource receives Community Partnership Award
BOSTON — Eversource has received the 2025 Community Partnership Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development, a national nonprofit that unites employers, labor, educators, community organizations and other stakeholders to ensure the industry’s workforce is prepared for the evolving energy landscape.
The award honors energy companies that develop innovative and impactful connections within their local communities to inspire future energy workers and create accessible pathways to energy careers that are open to all.
“At Eversource, we’re committed to empowering our workforce by not only creating a culture of respect and engagement but also preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to meet the changing needs of the customers we serve,” Eversource Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Information Technology Susan Sgroi said in a statement. “Through our strategic investments in career development and student programs across New England, we’re advancing the energy workforce of tomorrow while fostering economic opportunities and helping our communities grow.”
The Community Partnership Award recognizes Eversource for several initiatives that strengthen the energy workforce. Through collaborations with community colleges and labor organizations, the energy company has developed programs that prepare skilled professionals for energy careers, including:
- Electric Power Utility Technology Program — A 21-year partnership with Bunker Hill Community College and UWUA Local 369 in Massachusetts.
- Lineworker Certificate Program — Created with Capital Community College and IBEW Locals 420 and 457 in Connecticut and expanded to Housatonic Community College.
- Electrical Lineworker Pre-Apprentice Certificate Program — Developed with Manchester Community College and IBEW Locals 104 and 1837 in New Hampshire.
Beyond these programs, Eversource partners with colleges and universities across its service area on curriculum development, internships and early career planning. The award also recognizes the dedication of Eversource employees who volunteer their time and expertise to inspire and prepare the next generation of energy professionals.
D.A. Sullivan & Sons named among Top Places to Work
NORTHAMPTON — D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. has been named one of the 2025 Top Places to Work in Massachusetts in the 18th annual, employee-based survey from The Boston Globe. The Top Places to Work issue was published online at globe.com/topplaces on Dec. 2 and in Globe Magazine on Dec. 7.
Top Places to Work celebrates the most admired workplaces in the state, voted on by their employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay, benefits and engagement. D.A. Sullivan & Sons is recognized in the Small Business category with 50 to 99 employees.
MassHire highlighting available NMH jobs
GREENFIELD — Representatives from the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will be at the Greenfield Public Library on Monday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon to highlight job opportunities with Northfield Mount Hermon School.
NMH, an independent, coeducational college-preparatory school in Gill, is accepting applications for positions in housekeeping, custodial services, faculty, leadership and more. The school offers competitive wages and a benefits package that includes retirement, health coverage, life insurance plans, paid vacation time, and holiday and sick leaves.
For more information, visit masshirefhcareers.org or call 413-774-4361.
Tech Foundry holding fundraising campaign
SPRINGFIELD — Tech Foundry is holding its 2025 end-of-year fundraising campaign.
In May, Tech Foundry learned that funding for its Tech Hub in Holyoke, which offers free computer skills classes, device distribution and help desk services, had been cut by the Trump administration. Since then, the Tech Hub has cut services from 40 hours per week to 6 hours per week, reducing the number of individuals and community partners it can serve. The campaign seeks to raise $50,000 by Dec. 31, so that Tech Foundry can rebuild the Tech Hub’s capacity to serve more residents and expand services to neighboring communities.
Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry, commented, “Digital literacy fuels our economy,
and without federal funding, we’re looking to our community to help fill the gaps. We’re serving a fraction of the neighbors we once reached. But with your help, we can restore our operations for the people who need us every month. Thank you to our supporters who have already joined our campaign — and for those who have partnered with Tech Foundry during the 10-plus years we’ve been serving our region.”
To donate to Tech Foundry’s fundraising campaign or to learn more about the organization, visit thetechfoundry.org/donate.
UMassFive employees raise $17K for two nonprofits
HADLEY — Employees at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) raised more than $17,000 for two area nonprofits in 2025: $14,000 in support of the UMass Cancer Center via participation in the UMass Cancer Walk and $3,100 for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts through Will Bike 4 Food.
UMassFive employees, along with their family members and friends, joined together as Team UMassFive at the UMass Cancer Walk — a tradition spanning more than 25 years. These efforts support cancer research and clinical trials at UMass Cancer Center. Fundraising activities included raffle baskets, candy sales and outreach to corporate partners. Including this year’s contributions, Team UMassFive has raised more than $220,000 for the UMass Cancer Center through the UMass Cancer Walk.
Since 2020, UMassFive employees have also participated in Will Bike 4 Food, a key fundraiser for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. In 2025, Team UMassFive cyclists pedaled hundreds of miles to raise $3,100, helping provide thousands of meals.
Members looking to support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts can now donate directly within UMassFive’s enhanced digital banking platform using the Transfers functionality. This feature generated $1,800 in donations in the first three weeks.
“Our employees and members understand that, together, we can make a significant impact on the local causes that matter most,” Cait Murray, community outreach manager at UMassFive, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to see the generosity of our community and excited to offer new ways to make giving simple and impactful.”
Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin welcomes new attorney
SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin P.C. has announced that Attorney Michael A. Deere has joined the firm as an associate. Deere, who began on Sept. 8, is supporting the firm’s work across estate planning, bankruptcy and probate litigation, with an anticipated long-term focus in trusts and estates.
An Atlanta native who now resides in South Hadley, Deere brings a professional background shaped by nearly 20 years in academia. Prior to entering the legal field, he served as an associate professor of philosophy at Salem State University, where he spent 18 years teaching, researching and directing curriculum, including 10 years as director of bioethics programming and three years as department chair.
During his tenure, Deere taught courses in ethics, existentialism, philosophy of art, logic, writing at all levels and critical reasoning. He later designed and taught courses in legal reasoning, legal writing and analytical thinking, experience he now applies directly in his legal practice.
“Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin has an exceptional reputation for developing young attorneys,” Deere said in a statement. “I interned with the firm during my second year of law school and immediately connected with the work, the people and the collaborative environment. It was an excellent match and I’m excited to continue building my career here.”
Deere attended Boston College Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2025. He was a contributor to the law school’s Impact blog and continued to teach full-time during his legal studies. He previously earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University, funded by the Jacob Javits Fellowship, and holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from Oglethorpe University in Georgia.
Freedom Credit Union collecting warm clothing
SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union is rallying members, employees and the public to help support neighbors in need this holiday season through a collaborative initiative with Clinical & Support Options (CSO).
Freedom Credit Union is collecting new winter coats and clothing to benefit the hundreds of people seeking emergency shelter each night across Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. CSO shelters welcome approximately 300 guests nightly, many of whom are in need of warm layers and basic essentials.
Items requested include winter coats (adult sizes L–3X); hats, mittens and gloves; adult socks; men’s boxer briefs (adult sizes L–3X); women’s underwear (adult sizes L–3X); and long johns and thermal underlayers. Donations may be dropped off at any Freedom Credit Union branch through Dec. 18.
“This time of year can be especially difficult for those facing homelessness or financial hardship,” Glenn Welch, president and CEO of Freedom Credit Union, said in a statement. “Giving back is at the very heart of our mission, and we’re grateful to partner with CSO to make sure our community members feel supported, valued and included.”
Northfield bank branch temporarily closed
NORTHFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s Northfield branch at 144 Main St. has moved into its next phase of renovations and, to complete the work safely and efficiently, the branch is closed through Dec. 26. Renovations include the installation of two drive-up lanes, which are expected to be available for use on Dec. 29.
The new ATM at the Northfield branch is currently available as a walk-up ATM and will remain available during this time for everyday transactions. The walk-up ATM is located on the back wall of the bank. Customers who need full banking services are encouraged to visit any of Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s other branch locations.
“We appreciate the community’s patience while this important project is completed, and look forward to reopening the branch on Dec. 29,” Northfield Branch Manager Kristen Canedy said in a statement. “We can’t wait to welcome customers back to a refreshed and improved space designed to better serve their banking needs.”
Other Greenfield Cooperative Bank branches can be found at:
- 176 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376
- 33 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA, 01370
- 63 Federal St., Greenfield, MA, 01301
- 277 Federal St., Greenfield, MA, 01301
- 18 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA, 01375
- 390 College St., Amherst, MA, 01002
- 67 King St., Northampton MA, 01060
- 6 Main St., Florence, MA, 01062
- 487 Newton St., South Hadley, MA, 01075
Florence Bank contributing $73K to United Way
FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently announced a gift of $73,520 to the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region. Florence Bank provided direct support of $50,000, and its team members pledged an additional $23,520 as part of the bank’s workplace campaign. The combined gift will be used to support the annual Diaper Drive, efforts to combat food insecurity, the Ski United event and several event sponsorships.
“Once again, our team members stepped up and showed how much they care about helping their fellow neighbors,” Matt Garrity, president and CEO of Florence Bank, said in a statement. “I’m humbled by their generosity and proud of their dedication to help those less fortunate.”
In addition to financial support, Florence Bank is helping to lead the United Way’s 2026 fundraising campaign. Garrity will serve as campaign co-chair.
Holly Martineau, United Way’s director of development, said the financial goal is to increase giving as much over the $1.2 million raised in 2025 as possible, and to encourage organizations and individuals to double their gifts. Fifty-four partner nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley were supported with United Way grants in 2025.
“Our efforts this year are to have as many people double down as possible,” Martineau added. “We’re trying to do as much as we can as an organization to support our partners in the community who do so much for individuals in need. Our partners are being asked to do so much more with much less. The social safety net is diminishing every day.”
Florence Bank has a long history of supporting United Way, and the following current team members are taking part in various efforts: Christina “Chris” Mullen, loan servicing manager/assistant vice president, and Ryan Hess, commercial team leader/vice president, are United Way Campaign Committee members, and Mullen also writes 50 to 100 thank you letters to donors each month on behalf of United Way; Jenna Rahilly, chief human resources and strategy officer/senior vice president, sits on the Community Investment Committee; and Kim Baker, commercial loan operations and compliance specialist/vice president, helped found Ski United.
“The partnership with Florence Bank is invaluable to us,” Martineau said in a statement. “It’s one of our greatest gifts in the community. They’re involved with us in so many different ways. Every nonprofit in the valley would say they feel supported by Florence Bank, and we are so grateful that we are able to partner in this way.”
To donate to United Way, visit uw-fh.org or mail a check to P.O. Box 123, Northampton, MA 01061. Checks should be made payable to United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region.
Pledges made will be payable by June 30, 2026.